• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.23 no.5
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• pp.445-462
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• 2022

To investigate and evaluate the seismic damage behaviors of steel reinforced recycled concrete (SRRC) filled circular steel tube composite columns, in this study, the cyclic loading tests of 11 composite columns was carried out by using the load-displacement joint control method. The seismic damage process, hysteretic curves and performance indexes of composite columns were observed and obtained. The effects of replacement rates of recycled coarse aggregate (RCA), diameter thickness ratio, axial compression ratio, profile steel ratio and section form of profile steel on the seismic damage behaviors of composite columns were also analyzed in detail. The results show that the failure model of columns is a typical bending failure under the combined action of horizontal loads and vertical loads, and the columns have good energy dissipation capacity and ductility. In addition, the replacement rates of RCA have a certain adverse effect on the seismic bearing capacity, energy consumption and ductility of columns. The seismic damage characteristics of composite columns are revealed according to the failure modes and hysteretic curves. A modified Park-Ang seismic damage model based on the maximum displacement and cumulative energy consumption was proposed, which can consider the adverse effect of RAC on the seismic damage of columns. On this basis, the performance levels of composite columns are divided into five categories, The interlayer displacement angle and damage index are used as the damage quantitative indicators of composite columns, and the displacement angle limits of composite columns at different performance levels under 80% assurance rate are calculated as 1/105, 1/85, 1/65, 1/28, and 1/25 respectively. On this basis, the damage index limits corresponding to each performance level are calculated as 0.045, 0.1, 0.48, 0.8, and 1.0 respectively. Finally, the corresponding relations among the performance levels, damage degrees, interlayer displacement angles and damage indexes of composite columns are established. The conclusions can provide reference for the seismic design of SRRC filled circular steel tube composite columns, it fills the vacancy in the research on seismic damage of steel reinforced recycled concrete (SRRC) filled circular steel tube composite columns.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.36 no.5
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• pp.761-767
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• 2023

Objective: The objective of this study was to determine whether dietary supplementation with a functional fatty acid blend (FA) that contains 31.4% butyric acid and 4.99% medium-chain FA improve growth performance, antioxidant capacity, immunity status, and anti-inflammatory ability in weaned piglets. Methods: One hundred and forty-four healthy piglets (Duroc×Landrace×Yorkshire) with an average body weight (BW) of 7.98±3.43 kg were randomly divided into three groups with six replicate pens and eight piglets per pen: Normal control (NC): a corn-soybean basal diet; FA1: a basal diet supplemented with 1,000 mg/kg of a functional FA; FA2: a basal diet supplemented with 2,000 mg/kg of a functional FA. The experiment lasted for 28 d. On d 14 and 28, one piglet in each pen from NC and FA2 groups was randomly selected for antioxidative index and immunoglobulins. On d 28, one piglet in each pen from NC and FA2 groups was randomly selected for intestinal morphology and inflammatory factor. Results: We observed that FA supplementation linearly increased (p<0.05) average daily gain and the final BW. There was higher (p<0.05) catalase on d 14, and immunoglobulin (Ig) A and IgM on d 28 in piglets supplemented with FA2 than in the NC group. Moreover, dietary FA2 reduced (p<0.05) crypt depth of ileum in piglets. The concentrations of tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-8, and IL-10 in jejunum were lower (p<0.05) in the FA2 group compared with the NC group. Conclusion: Therefore, the overall results suggests that the FA may help to improve gut health, antioxidant status, and immune parameters resulting in the improvement of growth performance.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.36 no.6
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• pp.861-868
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• 2023

Objective: Loin muscle area (LMA) is an important target trait of pig breeding. This study aimed to identify single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and genes associated with LMA in the Duroc×(Landrace×Yorkshire) crossbred pigs (DLY). Methods: A genome-wide association study was performed using the Illumina 50K chip to map the genetic marker and genes associated with LMA in 511 DLY pigs (255 boars and 256 sows). Results: After quality control, we detected 35,426 SNPs, including six SNPs significantly associated with LMA in pigs, with MARC0094338 and ASGA0072817 being the two key SNPs responsible for 1.77% and 2.48% of the phenotypic variance of LMA, respectively. Based on previous research, we determined two candidate genes (growth hormone receptor [GHR] and 3-oxoacid Co A-transferase 1 [OXCT1]) that are associated with fat deposition and muscle growth and found further additional genes (MYOCD, ARHGAP44, ELAC2, MAP2K4, FBXO4, FBLL1, RARS1, SLIT3, and RANK3) that are presumed to have an effect on LMA. Conclusion: This study contributes to the identification of the mutation that underlies quantitative trait loci associated with LMA and to future pig breeding programs based on marker-assisted selection. Further studies are needed to elucidate the role of the identified candidate genes in the physiological processes involved in LMA regulation.

• Journal of Veterinary Science
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.8.1-8.15
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• 2022

Background: Brucella infection induces brucellosis, a zoonotic disease. The intracellular circulation process and virulence of Brucella mainly depend on its type IV secretion system (T4SS) expressing secretory effectors. Secreted protein BspJ is a nucleomodulin of Brucella that invades the host cell nucleus. BspJ mediates host energy synthesis and apoptosis through interaction with proteins. However, the mechanism of BspJ as it affects the intracellular survival of Brucella remains to be clarified. Objectives: To verify the functions of nucleomodulin BspJ in Brucella's intracellular infection cycles. Methods: Constructed Brucella abortus BspJ gene deletion strain (B. abortus ∆BspJ) and complement strain (B. abortus pBspJ) and studied their roles in the proliferation of Brucella both in vivo and in vitro. Results: BspJ gene deletion reduced the survival and intracellular proliferation of Brucella at the replicating Brucella-containing vacuoles (rBCV) stage. Compared with the parent strain, the colonization ability of the bacteria in mice was significantly reduced, causing less inflammatory infiltration and pathological damage. We also found that the knockout of BspJ altered the secretion of cytokines (interleukin [IL]-6, IL-1β, IL-10, tumor necrosis factor-α, interferon-γ) in host cells and in mice to affect the intracellular survival of Brucella. Conclusions: BspJ is extremely important for the circulatory proliferation of Brucella in the host, and it may be involved in a previously unknown mechanism of Brucella's intracellular survival.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.48 no.1
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• pp.24-31
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• 2024

Background: Honey from different geographical origins can have distinct characteristics due to variations in the floral sources available to stingless bees in different regions. The most abundant stingless bee for meliponiculture in Thailand is Tetragonula pagdeni. However, only a few studies about the properties of honey from a different origin were carried out. The objective of this study was focused on a comparative study to evaluate the melissopalynological, physicochemical, antioxidant activities, and total phenolic contents (TPCs) of stingless bee honey produced by T. pagdeni from different parts of Thailand. Results: Fifty honey samples were collected from five locations, and the physicochemical properties of T. pagdeni honey samples are acidic (pH 3.02-4.15) and have a high water content (18.42-25.06 %w/w), which is related to the regions of meliponary. Melisopalynological analysis reveals the predominant pollen from Melaleuca quinquenervia, Cocus nuciferca, Nephelium lappaceum, Salacca wallichiana, and multiflora honey. All honey samples were analyzed for their TPC and 2,2-diphenyl1-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging activity. The results show that all samples had high TPC and antioxidant activities with a strong correlation (p < 0.05). Conclusions: The data from this study indicates the importance of geographical origin, which links physicochemical properties, phenolic compounds, and functional characteristics to their floral. Besides, the floral sources and harvesting location affected the properties of stingless bee honey. Our results identify Melaleuca honey as a promising source of phenolic content and antioxidant activity that can be used as a functional food, as well as multiflora and Cocus honey. However, further studies are required to characterize the phenolic compound and its biological potential, which could be a stingless bee honey biomarker and quality control, simultaneously with the physicochemical analysis.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.175-183
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• 2016

BACKGROUND: There's a long rainy season during the Summer in Northeast Asia, including Korea. Heavy rainfall during this season causes harm to tree's root, and damped injury in the pear has been continuously reported. Pear Research Institute is breeding damp resistant rootstocks and investigating their mechanisms to relieve damped damages in the pear.METHODS AND RESULTS: Seedlings of Pyrus betulaefolia and P. calleryana were divided into two groups: control and damped, respectively. Damped group was treated by constant irrigation for 77 days and control group was maintained to keep the soil moisture pressure between 0 and -10 kPa. After the treatment, we analysed trees' growth rate, chlorophyll content, amino acids and total phenolic compounds. As a result, P. betulaefolia was sensitive to damped treatment while P. calleryana did not have significant differences between the control and damped treatment. It was observed that total contents for phenolic compounds were dramatically increased in P. betulaefolia while trees' growth rate, chlorophyll b and general amino acid contents were lowered by damping treatment.CONCLUSION: In some pear cultivars, growth habit is suppressed by damped damage. Pyrus calleryana displayed tolerances to damped damage in growth rate and some organic compound contents compared to P. betulaefolia. So we recommend to exploit P. calleryana as a pear rootstock rather than using P. betulaefolia.

• The korean journal of orthodontics
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• v.33 no.6 s.101
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• pp.419-435
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• 2003

The purpose of this study was to evaluate growth changes and skeletal characteristics of Korean children with Class III malocclusions from 10 to 14 years of skeletal age. Radiographs of 60 children with Class III malocclusion and 60 normal controls were assessed. Both groups were subdivided into 6 samples according to sex and skeletal age. Skeletal age was assessed using handwrist X-rays using the Greulich and Pyle norms. The Krogman-Walker plane (occipitale-maxillon) through Sella was used as a reference plane in this study with x-axis perpendicular to the x-axis. Sir Student t-tests were conducted to compare the control group with the Class III group according to each gender a:nd age. The characteristics of Class III malocclusion group compared to the control group included shorter anterior and posterior cranial base, shorter and retrusive maxilla, forger mandible, increased molar-incisor distance, retroclined lower incisors, labially proclined upper incisors, and anteriorly located mandibular molar, smaller upper and middle facial depth, and larger lower facial depth. Landmarks representing facial depth, size of maxilla and mandible, and their AP relationship including anterior facial height indicate that growth characteristic was determined early in life. But growth Pattern of cranial base and some of the dental landmarks showed progressive divergence between Control and Class III groups with age. The position of the posterior border of the mandible was found to be significantly forward in both females and males by the age of 14 and at the anterior border in males and females at all ages. Hyperdivergent mandibular plane, changes in anterior segment of mandible, small anterior cranial base, and decrease in cranial base flexure was also noted.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.46 no.8
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• pp.763-768
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• 2003

Purpose : This study was conducted to investigate the pulmonary cellular profiles and IL-8 levels in patients with post-measles wheezing. Methods : Twelve previously healthy infants with a minimum of three episodes of wheezing after measles pneumonia(Measles wheezing, median age, 1.3 years) were recruited by a retrospective examination of hospital records. They underwent bronchoalveolar lavage(BAL) with flexible bronchoscopy, and high-resolution computed tomography(HRCT) with a mean six(1-15) months interval. Comparisons were made with seven normal controls(Control, median age : 7.4 years). BAL cell counts and differentials were determined. IL-8 levels also were measured by ELISA. Results : The BAL cellular profiles were characterized by a significantly increased percentage of neutrophils in the Measles wheezing group(median 16.0%) compared to the control group(median 3.8 %)(P<0.01). IL-8 levels were markedly increased in the Measles wheezing group($mean{\pm}SD$, $512.7{\pm}324.0pg/mL$) compared to the control group($41.7{\pm}67.7pg/mL$)(P<0.01). Furthermore, IL-8 levels correlated significantly(r=0.816, P=0.001) with neutrophil percentages in BAL fluids in the Measles wheezing group. Abnormal HRCT findings were mosaic perfusion, bronchiectasis, bronchial wall thickening, and decreased vascularity. Conclusion : These results suggest that pulmonary neutrophils and IL-8 may play an important role in the pathogenesis of the post-measles wheezing.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.12
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• pp.7459-7466
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• 2013

Background: Some 60 years after introduction of the Papanicolaou smear worldwide, cervical cancer remains a burden in developing countries where >85% of world new cases and deaths occur, suggesting a failure to establish comprehensive cervical-cancer control programs. Effective interventions are available to control cervical cancer but are not all affordable in low-income settings. Disease awareness saves lives by risk-reduction as witnessed in reducing mortality of HIV/AIDS and smoking-related cancers. Subjects and Methods: We initiated a community-based awareness program on cervical cancer in two low-income Muslim Uyghur townships in Kashi (Kashgar) Prefecture, Xinjiang, China in 2008. The education involved more than 5,000 women from two rural townships and awareness was then evaluated in 2010 and 2011, respectively, using a questionnaire with 10 basic knowledge questions on cervical cancer. Demographic information was also collected and included in an EpiData database. A 10-point scoring system was used to score the awareness. Results: The effectiveness and feasibility of the program were evaluated among 4,475 women aged 19-70 years, of whom >92% lived on/below US$1.00/day. Women without prior education showed a poor average awareness rate of 6.4% (164/2,559). A onetime education intervention, however, sharply raised the awareness rate by 4-fold to 25.5% (493/1,916). Importantly, low income and illiteracy were two reliable factors affecting awareness before or after education intervention. Conclusions: Education intervention can significantly raise the awareness of cervical cancer in low-income women. Economic development and compulsory education are two important solutions in raising general disease awareness. We propose that implementing community-based awareness programs against cervical cancer is realistic, locally affordable and sustainable in low-income countries, which may save many lives over time and, importantly, will facilitate the integration of comprehensive programs when feasible. In this context, adopting this strategy may provide one good example of how to achieve "good health at low cost".

• Korean Journal of Weed Science
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.194-201
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• 1985

Effect of perfluidone(2-methyl-4-phenylsulphonyltrifluoromethylsulphoanilide) and bifenox(2,4-dichlorophenyl-3-methoxycarbonyl-4-nitrophenylether) mixture on weed control and plant growth and yield of transplanted rice was determined. Perfluidone-bifenox mixture applied at 75-105 g a.i./10a controlled effectively perennial weeds such as Sagittaria pygmaea Miq., Potamogeton dtstinctus A. Benn., Cyperus serotinus Rottb, Eleocharis kuroguwai Ohwi, including most annual weeds, but did not control Sagittaria trifolia L.. There was no phytotoxicity caused by perfluidone-bifenox mixture when applied at 100-140 g a.i./10a. The mixture at 150-210 g a.i./10a caused crop injury, but did not affect the yield. Phytotoxicity due to the mixture decreased as the application time was delayed.